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Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Loan Conditions

  • The Ministry of Transport offers financial assistance by way of an Interest Free Loan to country taxi operators to assist with the purchase of new or additional Wheelchair Accessible Taxis (WATs) that will be operating outside the metropolitan (Sydney) transport district, where no WAT service exists or where there is a demand for an additional WAT.
  • In August 1992, the Minister for Transport approved of a program to establish WATs in identified high need country towns. As funds for Interest Free Loans are limited, the Ministry provides loans for new or additional WATs only in those towns where there is a priority need.
  • Interest Free Loans are available for amounts up to a maximum of $30,000, or half the market value of the vehicle (whichever is the lesser amount).
  • To ensure compliance with WAT licence conditions, a WAT Interest Free Loan can be granted for a vehicle up to 5 years and 6 months old (from the date of the compliance plate), subject to complete repayment of the loan before the maximum WAT age requirement is reached.
  • Interest Free Loans are repayable quarterly over a term of five years.
  • Prospective borrowers must first seek approval in writing from the Ministry for a new or additional WAT to a taxi fleet. This should be in the form of a covering letter from the taxi operator requesting an Interest Free Loan, and should include a quotation for the cost of the vehicle, the amount of the loan (an itemised list of inclusions and costs should be supplied in order to substantiate the amount sought. See Page 2) and the area in which the WAT will operate.
  • Upon receipt of approval from the Ministry for a loan, the Borrower must send in the following documentation to enable the loan application to proceed:
    • A copy of the Ministry's approval to operate the vehicle and any special conditions under which the vehicle is to be operated.
    • If a company or co-operative, a copy of documentation as evidence of the incorporation of the company including a list of Directors or those authorised by law to execute a Deed.
    • A copy of the vehicle Registration Certificate.
    • A copy of the vehicle insurance details.
  • On acceptance, arrangements will be made for an Interest Free Loan "Deed" to be executed by the Borrower (in duplicate) which is then returned to the Ministry for execution.
  • Upon the satisfactory execution and registration of the Deed, a cheque is forwarded to the Borrower with a copy of the executed Deed along with a request that the borrower arrange to execute a Bill of Sale over the vehicle for which the loan was issued.
  • Funding for WAT vehicles is limited and the Ministry reserves the right to grant or refuse any application for an interest free loan.

Amount of Interest Free Loan

The Passenger Transport (Taxi-cab Services) Regulation require that all taxis must be fitted with taximeters, roof signs and emergency devices such as radio alarms and approved boot-lid lock releases. It is the responsibility of the taxi operator to meet the requirements and associated costs of a standard taxi.

With regard to the costs considered in determining the amount of an Interest Free Loan, only those costs that assist in the safety and comfort of wheelchair passengers are taken into consideration.

Items which may be considered as essential costs of conversion to a wheelchair accessible vehicle could include:

  • Lengthening of a vehicle able to accommodate at least one standard wheelchair
  • Adjustments of door opening to sufficient width and height to enable wheelchair access
  • Raising of roof to allow comfortable head clearance for travel
  • Flat floor for easy manoeuvrability
  • Floor and seat anchorage
  • Suitable device to enable a wheelchair to be lifted easily into the vehicle ie ramps or hoist
  • Adequate suspension to take account of the extra length of the vehicle and the fitting of heavy duty shock absorbers to the rear
  • Sufficient lighting in the rear cabin
  • Seatbelts for passenger safety
  • Tinted side, rear and windscreen windows for passenger comfort
  • Additional aluminium ramp for motorised wheelchair.

Other items which may be included in the loan could be:

  • Spray painting of extension to match original paintwork
  • Air conditioning for both driver and passenger areas

The following items are not taken into consideration when determining the amount of Interest Free Loan:

  • Taxi meter
  • Roof sign
  • Roof sign lighting
  • Roof sign wiring
  • Two-way radio
  • Radio alarm
  • Boot-lid lock release
  • LPG conversion
  • Roof rack
  • Weather shield
  • Decals (ie network logo on front doors)
  • Mud flapsfull respray
  • Metallic colours
  • Spot lights
  • Hella light switch
  • Vehicle registration
  • Stamp duty
  • Workers compensation
  • Costs vehicle insurance
  • Wheel arch trim
  • Public liability
  • Spare wheel cover

Applicants should clearly indicate, in an itemised list accompanying a request for an Interest Free Loan, which items have been included in the amount of loan sought. The Ministry of Transport will determine which items and costs will be included in any loan granted.

Requirements of the Deed for an Interest Free Loan

Borrowers should take special note of the requirements incorporated in an Interest Free Loan "Deed".

The following is a brief summary of those requirements which may be of interest to Borrowers and includes terms and conditions under which Interest Free Loans are granted:

  • The Borrower must insure the vehicle with an Insurance Company approved by the Ministry of Transport and must provide the with a copy of the Insurance Policy.
  • The vehicle and modifications must be in a manner and standard approved by the Ministry of Transport and the Roads and Traffic Authority.
  • The vehicle must be registered with the Roads and Traffic Authority and details of the registration must be provided to the Ministry of Transport.
  • The Borrower must execute a Bill of Sale over the vehicle in favour of the Ministry of Transport which will provide for the repayment of the loan to the Ministry and the right of the Ministry to repossess and resell the vehicle to recoup outstanding moneys under the loan.
  • If the Borrower neglects to carry out the above, all outstanding Principal plus interest at the rate current at the time for ninety (90) day Australian Merchant Bankers Bills with an additional administrative charge will become immediately due and may be recovered by the Ministry as a liquidated debt.

All legal costs, stamp duty and registration charges and any other costs arising from the loan Agreement and the subsequent Bill of Sale are to be paid by the Borrower.